'Dabangg' bags National Award

Abhinav Kashyap

It's one more in a long line of triumphs for Salman Khan-Sonakshi Sinha's 'Dabangg'. Arabaaz Khan's debut production has won the National Award for wholesome entertainment, it was announced in New Delhi today (May 18).

Sonakshi, who made her debut with 'Dabangg', was amazed that the action film won. "Kamaal karte ho yaar (What a feat, guys)! National Award bhi andar (pocketed the National Award too)! Team 'Dabangg' take a bow! And to all of you who got us this far - THANK YOU!" Sonakshi posted on her Twitter page.

Salman and Arbaaz's dad Salim Khan, an ace film writer himself, said that the credit for the win went to his family and everyone else behind the venture.

"The news about the honour has yet to sink in. We are thrilled by the national recognition," Salim Khan said.

Salman and Arbaaz were not available for comments immediately as they were busy shooting. But speaking on behalf of his sons, Salim said the whole family and the movie unit worked very hard while making the movie.

"Our intention was to make a good, family oriented commercial movie. The audience response in India and all over the world proves that we succeeded, each one of us, from the stars to the people in the units."

However, he admitted that the Khan family never expected the movie would bag a National Award at the 58th National Film Awards.

Bollywood also scored with Vishal Bhardwaj's rural drama 'Ishqiya', which won four National Awards - including awards for best music for the director and best female playback singer for his wife Rekha Bhardwaj.

There were two technical awards for the film as well - Kamod Karade won best audiography location sound recordist, while Debajit Changmai was named best re-recordist of the final mixed track.

The Rishi Kapoor-Neetu Singh starrer middle-class family drama 'Do Dooni Chaar' won the National Award for best Hindi feature film. Directed by Habib Faisal, the movie had also picked up top honours at the New York Indian Film Festival.

In other categories, Marathi actress Mitalee Jagtap Paradhar and Tamil cinema's Saranya won the National Award for best actress for their performances in 'Baboo Band Baaja' and 'Thenmerku Paruvakkaatru' respectively.

The National Award for best actor was shared by Tamil cinema's Dhanush and Malayalam actor Salim Kumar for their work in 'Aadukalam' and 'Adaminde Makan Abu'. The Malayalam movie 'Adaminde Makan Abu'also won the National Award for best feature film.

Kannada movie 'Hejjegalu' was named the best children's film at the 58th National Film Awards, while Tamil moviemaker Veerimaran won best director.